Level
3-Bishop
Chess Diagram
[Event "Puzzle #37"][Date "2008.09.18"][Result "0-1"][SetUp "1"][FEN "5rk1/ppp3pp/8/3p2P1/1P1NrP2/P2p2P1/1B1P3P/R2K3b b - - 0 22"]
Here's a true chess saying: The hardest game to win is a won one. You might want to know why is this the case? The answer is simple: it is human nature to relax when your position is much better and once you relax, it is very possible to do mistakes. Most of the times we solve our puzzles the same as we should play in our games: always look for the shortest way to reach the end!
This week we go a long way back in time to 1933 for a game between E. Eliskases - L. Steiner, top players in those days (see diagram). Black (to move) is clearly ahead and should win the game. However White could still drag it on for a long time even down in material. Question:
a) What is the fastest way to finish the game? (5 points)
Total available points for this puzzle is 5. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #38.
Puzzle #36 solution:
Both answers below have been chosen between the best ones I have received:
a) John
I think this was a mistake to force the perpetual because even though White's ahead a piece, he seems to not be using them, whereas Black is using his remaining pieces. Nc8 is almost doing nothing, maybe if the White King can escape to safety, then White's Knight might do damage, but in a position like this, it is almost worth nothing...
b) See solution as per John, Katerina and Andy Q:
[Event "Puzzle #36"][Date "2008.09.11"][Result "1/2-1/2"][SetUp "1"][FEN "2N4k/6pp/p7/4p3/Pp4Q1/1Pn1P1KP/1B4P1/4q3 w - - 0 37"]37.Kf3 {In the game} 37...Qe2+ {Alexandra decided to go for a perpetual since this qualified her for the final} (37...e4+! 38.Kf4 Qf2+ 39.Kg5 (39.Ke5 Qf6#) 39...Qf6+ 40.Kh5 Qh6#) 38.Kg3 Qe1+ 39.Kf3 Qe2+ 40.Kg3 Qe1
Correct solutions:
John, Katerina and Andy Q - 10 points
Joshua - 8 points
Joanne, Karl and Jeremy - 5 points
Nathaniel and Wilson - 1 point
Standings:
John - 15 points
Joshua - 12 points
Andy Q - 11 points
Katerina, Karl and Jeremy - 10 points
Joanne - 5 points
Wilson - 3 points
Nathaniel - 2 point
This week we go a long way back in time to 1933 for a game between E. Eliskases - L. Steiner, top players in those days (see diagram). Black (to move) is clearly ahead and should win the game. However White could still drag it on for a long time even down in material. Question:
a) What is the fastest way to finish the game? (5 points)
Total available points for this puzzle is 5. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #38.
Puzzle #36 solution:
Both answers below have been chosen between the best ones I have received:
a) John
I think this was a mistake to force the perpetual because even though White's ahead a piece, he seems to not be using them, whereas Black is using his remaining pieces. Nc8 is almost doing nothing, maybe if the White King can escape to safety, then White's Knight might do damage, but in a position like this, it is almost worth nothing...
b) See solution as per John, Katerina and Andy Q:
[Event "Puzzle #36"][Date "2008.09.11"][Result "1/2-1/2"][SetUp "1"][FEN "2N4k/6pp/p7/4p3/Pp4Q1/1Pn1P1KP/1B4P1/4q3 w - - 0 37"]37.Kf3 {In the game} 37...Qe2+ {Alexandra decided to go for a perpetual since this qualified her for the final} (37...e4+! 38.Kf4 Qf2+ 39.Kg5 (39.Ke5 Qf6#) 39...Qf6+ 40.Kh5 Qh6#) 38.Kg3 Qe1+ 39.Kf3 Qe2+ 40.Kg3 Qe1
Correct solutions:
John, Katerina and Andy Q - 10 points
Joshua - 8 points
Joanne, Karl and Jeremy - 5 points
Nathaniel and Wilson - 1 point
Standings:
John - 15 points
Joshua - 12 points
Andy Q - 11 points
Katerina, Karl and Jeremy - 10 points
Joanne - 5 points
Wilson - 3 points
Nathaniel - 2 point
Mate in 5